Starting mechanism



Oct. l, 1935. T. .l-B.v LAFITTE 2,015,684

STARTING MECHANISM Fired March 25, 1933 2 sheets-sheet 1 wel@ Oct. l, 1935. T, J-B LAFn-TE y 2,015,684

STARTING MECHANISM Filed March 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Shea?I 2 1./ UL lzven bor: 'T71 @odore Jearv :Ba/n l'zls Pela/Elfe Patented Oct. I, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE signor to Eclipse Machine Company, Elmira N. Y., a corporation oi.' New York Application March 25, 1933, Serial No. 662,849

In France April 1 1932 9 claims. (c1. 12s- 119) The present invention relates to starting mechanisms but more particularly to starting mechanisms adapted to effect the starting of internal combustion engines.

One object of the invention is to provide a starter in which the starting elements are biased into starting position and adapted to be rendered inoperative on the engines starting and maintained inoperative during the engine rotation.

Another object is to provide a starter wherein the starting elements are positively maintained out of engagement during the engine rotation by means dependent on the engine speed, engine vacuum, engine pressure, etc.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism wherein the engagement and disengagement of the starting pinions is assisted through the particular disposition and configuration of the starting pinion teeth.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from a consideration of the accompanying specification and drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a. front elevation of one form of starting device utilizing engine vacuum or engine developed pressure in its functioning and represented in starting position.

Fig. 2 is a. slightly modified form of the inven-l tion represented in disengaged position.

Fig. 3 represents a form of starting pinion disposition and arrangement.

Fig. 4 is a modification of the starters of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a starter embodying an engine operated governor.

Fig. 6 is a form of valve for controlling the starting mechanism.

Referring to Fig. l, the starting motor I, here illustrated as of the electric type, carries, xedly mounted on its shaft 2, a pinion 3 which meshes with a similar pinion 4 rotatable on ashaft 5 that is supported in an element 6 encompassing pinions 3 and 4 and mounted for light frlctional engagement with shaft 2 about which it may oscillate. Owing to its mounting in 6, pinion 4 may be moved into or out of meshing engagement with a gear 1 connected to the engine to be started. A connecting rod 8 is fixed at one end to shaft 5 and its other end is rotatably mounted on the rod 9 of a piston I0 which freely slides within cylinder I I. The cylinder is provided with a series of apertures one of which, I2, may register with the opening I4 of piston I0, while another, I5, may be obstructed by a valve I 6 urged on its seat bya spring I1. The valve I1 is adapted to interrupt communication, which is established by conduit Il, between the interior ofthe cylinder II and the induction manifold of the engine to be started. A spring strip 20 nxed by insulating means Il to element 6 is connected to the lead 2|, in which ows the current oper- 5 ating the motor I. A spring 26 continually urges element 6 to the position wherein the pinion 4 meshes with the toothed ring 1. Cylinder II is closed by a plate 21 acting as a guide for the piston rod l and provided with calibrated opening 10 28. Ihe gears I, 4, 1, are so disposed that as gears 4 and 1 are engaged, the centre line of gears 3 and 4 makes with the centre line oi' gears 4 and 1, an angle equal, or slightly superior to the angle of the normal of the teeth of gears 4 and 1 with 15 the centre line of gears 4 and 1.

In operation,y closing of a contact causes the current passing through leads 2I and 25, strip 2li and screw 24, to energize motor I which eiects rotation of pinion 4 through the intermediary of 20 pinion 3. The rotation ot pinion 4 drives gear 1 and therethrough brings about the rotation of the explosion engine. Due to the relative position of the center lines ci gears 3, 4 and 1, the reaction of the teeth assists spring 26 in main- 25 taining the gears 4 and 1 in mesh, and the rotation of the elements is continued by motor I until the engine starts. At this moment, the direction of the reaction of the toothing of gears 4 and 1 is reversed and the pinion 4 is thrown oir, carry- 30 ing element 6 which takes the position shown on Fig. 2. During this displacement, the element 6, which oscillates on shalt 2, forces the piston I0 to the left, through the intermediary of shaft 5, connecting rod 8 and piston rod 9. The piston 35 I6 in this movement acts on the stem o! valve I6 causing it to open and permit the interior of cylinder II to communicate with the intake manifold of the engine.

'I'he beginning of the displacement of the pis- 40 ton I0 occurs without appreciable resistance due to apertures I2 and I4, which permit the interior of the cylinder II to communicate with the atmosphex'e until the valve lifts from its seat. On the other hand, the atmospheric pressure acts on 45 the opposite'side of piston I0 through the opening 28, and therefore piston I0 is held at the bottom of the cylinder II, maintaining gears 4 and 1 out of mesh, in spite of the action of the return spring 26. In this position, the strip 20 50 is out of contact with screw 24 and, the current for motor I being interrupted, the motor stops. The parts remain in this position during the rotation of the explosion motor, but should the latter stop for any reason, the depression in the 55 cylinder I I is dissipated and the return spring 26 then acts upon element 6 which rotates on shaft 2, causing piston I0 to come back to the position shown in Fig. 1, thus bringing the gears 4 and 1 into meshing engagement. The speed of this displacement can be adjusted by the dimension of opening 28 which serves for the exhaust of the air forced back by piston I6. At the .end of said displacement, strip 20 contacts with screw 24 before the ends of the teeth of gears 4 and 1 have come into engagement; the motor I is energized again and eiects rotation of gears 3 and 4 which facilitates the meshing of gears 4 and 1. Openings I2 and I4 are adapted to communicate when valve I6 again interrupts communication of cylinder II with the suction pipe of the engine; said engine can then be driven until it starts; afterwards, the cycle previously described is repeated. It is thus seen that the starting of the engine will occur whenever it stops by itself. To start or stop the mechanism, a double contact is utilized, which establishes or breaks both the circuits of ignition and of starting. When these circuits are broken, gears 4 and 1, and strip 25 come into the position shown on Fig. 1 and it is then merely necessary to close the double circuit for the operation of the device to take place as previously described.

To allow the operation of the device under certain circumstances, the hole 28 will be regulated in order that the dash-pot constituted by piston I0, cylinder II and plate. 21 delay the return of the device to the position shown on Figure 1, until the gear 1 has come to rest. Moreover, in order,

to avoid too great a shock when the teeth are brought into engagement, which however is effected at a relatively reduced speed, motor I may be freely mounted on its support and yieldingly maintained as by a spring 29 which stretches when the starting eifort is exerted. To avoid the effects of centrifugal forces generated in rounding curves, the device is equilibrated around shaft 2 by suitably disposed masses.

Fig. 2 shows the apparatus in the disengaged position. It provides, bylway of example, a slight modification of structure. Piston I0 is replaced by a diaphragm 36 and valve I6 by a distributing piston 3| mounted on the end of the rod 32 which corresponds to rod 9. The operation and effect are similar to those of the device represented on Fig. 1.

'Ihe device of Figs. 1 and 2 comprises two gears 3 and 4 encompassed by element 6 and the elasticity required for a starting eiIort without jerks is obtained by means of a spring such as 29. In these cases, the gear reduction is determined -by the ratio of gears 3 and 1. The device shown on Fig. 3 is similar to that previously described, but is different in that element 33, much like element 6, encompasses three gears. The first one 34 is secured to the starting motor 35, the second one 36 is frictionally connected with the third 31 by suitable means such as a clutch 36' and both gears 36 and 31 are iournalled on a bearing 38 carried by shaft 39. For the starting operation, pinion 31 comes into engagement with ring 40 connected with the engine to be started. It is thuspossible to very easily effect an important reduction ratio which is the product of the reduction given by pinion 34 and gear 36 by the reduction between the pinion 31 and ring 45. A shockless meshing of the teeth of gear 46v and pinion 31 is insured by the clutch 36' connecting gears 36 and 31 which clutch may be of any suitable type.

motor shaft. An element 45 encompasses pin- 5 ions 42 and 43 and oscillates about the motor shaft 4I. Said element is provided with a cam 45 and is acted on by a spring 41 in order to ensure, on the one hand, the meshing of pinion 43 and ring 44, and on the other hand. to realize 10 contact between the yielding strip 48 connected to a fixed abutment 49 and contact piece 50 secured to the rocking frame 45. The current which feeds the electric motor ows through leads 5I and 52, respectively connected to strip 48 15 and contactpiece 50, both suitably insulated. An electro-magnet 53, comprising a core 55 urged by a spring 54 and acting as a ratchet, stops element 45 by cooperating with a side of the cam 46 (see Fig. 4). One of the leads of the electro` 20 magnet 53 is connected'to a contact piece 56 mounted on a bellows 51 and suitably insulated therefrom; said bellows being tight, elastic, and xed to a plate 56, and the interior thereof is adapted to be connected with the intake mani- 25 fold of the engine through nipple 59 and conduit 55. Nipple 59 is provided with a cock 6I which may communicate the interior of bellows 51 with the engine suction, or with the atmosphere. A casing 62 surrounds and protects bellows 51 and 30 is provided with an insulated contact piece 53 to which is connected a lead 64 of the electro-magnet circuit. 1

The device of Fig. 4 functions as follows when the ignition, electro-magnet and starting motor 35' circuit are energized. 'I'he device being in the position shown on Fig. 4, core 55 is drawn up and frees element 45 which oscillates around shaft 4I and causes the engagement of the teeth of gears 43 and 44 and of strip 48 with contact piece 55. 40 This completes the circuit of the starting motor which rotates and causes the rotation of the engine. When the latter starts the reaction between the teeth of gears 43 and 44 being inverted, the rocking device constituted by pinion 43 and 45 element 45 is thrown oif. During starting, however, suction is exerted on bellows 51 and the latter contracts and breaks the contact between contact pieces 5 6 and 63, so that the circuit of the electro-magnet 53 is opened and core 55 is 50 returned in the position shown on Fig. 4. During the oscillation caused by the reaction of the teeth, cam 46 engages the slanted end .of the core 55, and the element 45 is locked thereby so that pinion 43 is held out of engagement with gear 1. 55 At the same time, the starting motor circuit is broken through the separation of strip 48 and contact piece 50 and said motor stops. During the rotation of the engine, bellows 51 maintain the contact pieces 56 and 63 disengaged. Should 60 the engine stall for any reason, the depression within bellows 51 disappears, contacts 56 and 63 reengage, core 55 is drawn up and the preceding cycle begins again.

The device thus describedmay be provided with e5 a mechanical control for the ratchet constituted by core 55. To this end, a button 56 is placed within reach of the operator and provided with a projection 61 which is adapted to act upon a lever 68 mounted on the same axis as lever 70 69, which it can actuate in only one direction. Lever 69 is attached to a suitable means such as a cable 15, the other end of said cable .being ilxed to core 55. It is then evident that when operating button 66, the projection 61 oscillates lever 5 68 which abuts against lever 49, turning the latter and causing it to draw cable 10 which lifts core 55 and frees element 45. T he phases of starting are thus repeated as previously described. In this operation, however, the end of lever 68 escapes from projection 61 and lever 89, cable 10, core 55 return immediately to the position represented. 'I'he return of button 86 to its normal position produces a reverse oscillation of lever 68, which however has no eilect on the other portions of the mechanism and the core 55, returned to its normal position, will again permit the locking of element in its disengaged position. The button 66 may, if desired, be adapted for establishing the contact of the starting motor, by means of contacts 1I and 12, after the detent previously described. has operated, and in the case where it is desired to suppress the contact constituted by strip 48 and contact piece .50. Inversely, a system constituted by a button, a lever and a cable and similar to the one previously described. may be utilized for directly causing an engagement of the corresponding gears, a4

spring, such as 41, acting to maintain the disengagement. The contact may be established, for example by an elastic contact piece, a little before the engagement of the teeth takes place.

The cylinder, piston and valve of Fig. 1, the diaphragm and the distributing piston of Fig. 2, the bellows of Fig. 4 are but mechanical modifications of a single device which may be altered although the desired result remains. unchanged. Moreover, it is evident that the depression required for their operation can be obtained by any suitable device controlled by the engine.

The operation by depression may also be replaced by a pressure operation wherein pressure acts on the opposite side of the piston through a conduit 13, as indicated on Fig. l, said pressure resulting either from the exhaust gas pressure,

` or from the oil pump pressure, or from the pressure of an auxiliary pump or other suitable means.

Fig. 5 shows a modication of the previous devices in which the pressure or depression control of the meshing is obtained by a governor of any suitable type, which is connected to the engine. This governor 14 acts on links 15, 16 pivotally mounted at 11, the element 15 being controlled by the governor, while the element 16 effects, by means such as a rod 18, the meshing or demeshing of gears 19 and 80, and also the closing or opening of the contact constituted by the contacts 62 and 83 to which are connected the leads of the starting circuit. The operation is similar to that of the devices previously described. To delay the return of the mechanism to its meshing position, a dash-pot is provided, constituted by a cylinder 84 and a piston 85 which acts by connecting rod 86 on the lever 15 controlled by the governor. The latter may be advantageously placed on the control shaft of the timer and may then control the spark.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which valve 81, similar to valve I6 and carrying core 88, is controlled by an electro-magnet 89. When the starting motor rotates, current passes through electro-magnet 89 and operates valve 81, as shown on the gure, so that communication between cylinder 90 and the pressure or depression, is interrupted and air can enter the cylinder through the pipe 9|. When current is cut, spring 92 returns valve 81 to the opposite seat, thus obturating all communication with the atmosphere, while allowing communication between atmossimilar to the cylinders, diaphragms, bellows, or

governors. Moreover, these elements may control gears, the meshing of which is effected transversely or parallelly with the axis of the starting shaft. The reaction which causes the un- 15 ,Y meshing of the teeth may be produced either by the pressure of a spring or by the mounting of the pinion on a threaded part, or by the manner of cutting of the meshing teeth. The operation will be similar to that of the devices 20 previously described.

Elements submitted to pressure or depression, to electrical current or no matter what, may be employed in combination with the starters to ensure their automatic starting in case the engine -2:5 stops, said elements being responsive to the engine operation.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class disclosed, a starting motor having a shaft, transmission mecha- 80 nism for transmitting motion from said shaft to an engine to be started, means whereby the transmission mechanism may oscillate from operative to inoperative position, means adapted to oscillate the said mechanism into inoperative posi- 85 tion on starting of the engine and so retain the same during self-operation of the engine and means to release the mechanism on stopping of the engine.

2. In a device of the class disclosed, a start- 40 ing motor having a shaft, transmission mechanism for transmitting motion from said shaft to an engine to be started, means whereby the transmission mechanism may oscillate -from operative to inoperative position, means adapted 45 to oscillate the said mechanism into inoperative position on starting of the engine and so retain the same duringv self-operation of the engine and means to release the mechanism and return it to starting position after the engine has come 50 completely to rest.

3. In a device of the class disclosed. a starting motor having a shaft, transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of said shaft to an engine to be started, pivotal mounting means 55 for the transmission mechanism whereby the same may oscillate from operative to inoperative position about said shaft and means including an abutment carried by said mounting means for locking the transmission mechanism in inopera- 00 tive position responsive to self-operation of the engine, and switch means operated by said mounting means for deenergizing said starting motor.

4. Starter gearing` for internal combustion engines including a pinion oscillatable into and out of mesh with a member of an engine to be started, means for yieldably urging the pinion into o engaging position, means responsive to self-operation of .the engine for holding the pinion in idle position, and means rendering the holding means inoperative during the operation of the starter gearing.

5. Starter gearing for internal combustion engines including a pinion oscillatable into and out of mesh with a member of an engine to be started, pivotal mounting means for said pinion so arranged that self-operation of the engine causes thepinion to be disengaged therefrom, means for yieldably urging the pinion into engaging position, means responsive to intake vacuum of the engine for holding the pinion in idle position and means for disconnecting said holding means from the intake vacuum when the pinion is in operative position,

6. Starter gearing for internal combustion engines including 'a pinion oscillatable into and out of mesh with a member of an engine to be started, means for yieldably urging the pinion `into engaging position, .means responsive to selfoperation of the engine for holding the pinion in idle position and electromagnetic means energized during the cranking operation' for rendering said holding means inoperative '7. Starter gearing for internal combustion engines-including a pinion oscillatable into and out of mesh with a member of a engine to be started, means for yieldably urging the pinion into engaging position, means for holding the pinion in idle position, means for rendering said holding means inoperative when the engine stops.

and means iorcausing energization of the starter gearing responsive to movement of said pinion toward operative position.

8. Starter gearing for internal combustion engines including a pinion oscillatable into and out 5 oi' mesh with a member of an engine to be started, means for yieldably -urging the pinion into engaging position, means for holding the pinion in idle position, electromagnetic means for renderingsaid holding means inoperative, and 10 means responsive to self-operation of the engine for maintaining said electromagnetic means inoperative.

9. Starter gearing for internal combustion engines including a pinion oscillatable into and out 15 of mesh with 'a member of an engine to be started. means for yieldably urging the pinion into engaging position, means for holding the pinion in idle position, electromagnetic means for ren- `dering said holding means inoperative, means 20 responsive to intake vacuum of the engine for THODORE JEAN-BAPTISTE LAFITTE. 

